The war in Europe began in 1915, but the US carefully stayed neutral for two years. In early 1917, Germany began attacking US ships and President Wilson asked Congress to declare war. On April 6, 1917, a formal declaration of war against Germany was signed by Champ Clark, Speaker of the House of Representatives (the only Speaker that ever came from Missouri); Thos. R. Marshall, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate; and signed and approved by Woodrow Wilson.